The WESTERN RESERVE AREA AGENCY ON AGING (WRAAA), established in 1973 under the mandate of the federal Older Americans Act, has planned and coordinated community-based services for persons 60 years and older living in Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, and Cuyahoga counties. WRAAA is one of 12 regional agencies on aging in Ohio, all part of the National Network on Aging. In the 1990s it served the largest constituency (400,000) among the Ohio groups, distributing about $8 million in state and federal monies for transportation, nutrition, and other services, especially to the economically disadvantaged. The organization left the auspices of Cuyahoga County and incorporated as a private, independent, nonprofit group in 1989. It has been governed by a 19-member board, with 2 representatives from each county, 8 additional members from Cuyahoga County, and 1 member-at-large. A 21-member Five County Advisory Council, with 2 members from each county and 11 at-large, honorary, and ex-officio members, has worked with WRAAA.
PASSPORT (Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources for Today) has been one of WRAAA's major efforts. This Ohio Medicaid Waiver program has screened, assessed, and offered in-home services to low-income, chronically ill or impaired older persons. WRAAA has also provided legal advice, adult daycare and foster care, guardianship, and long-term care advocacy for residents of NURSING HOMES, among other services. In the 1990s its special projects included facilitating access to services for minorities, Meals-on-Wheels, America Holiday Meals, and the Protective Services Consortium for Older Adults, to prevent elder abuse. In 1994 the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging was at 1030 Euclid Ave.